Jane_Doe

Why I love my small town (30k population):
- Because I can walk/bike to everywhere I need.  For all other shopping, there's Amazon.
- I see familiar faces are the park, getting to know each other and that sense of community.  And with 30k, it's enough to be familiar but not claustrophobic.
- I can leave whenever I want.  Hiking in the mountains is a 7 minute drive.  Easy star-gazing with my daughter.  There is freedom to spread my wings as far as I want.
- "Traffic" is when I accidentally drive by the High School when the students get out.  It's a really annoying 4 minute wait.
- Just down to earth.  No clutter.
 
 
Why it's not for everyone:
- (Big one) Work.  There are a very limited number of business in town.  I enjoy remote work, but it's not for everyone, and that's really limiting.
- There are limited opportunities for in-person specialized groups.  For example, for competitive sports it's slim pickings for teams here, and for games there's a lot of driving.
- In a small town you got to entertain yourself.  We don't have Boardwalk musicals-- but the high school puts on two performances a year.  We do things like have huge bubble parties in the parking lot.  The local parade and fair is the time the kids show off their pigs.  
- We don't have all of those "big city" amenities and shopping.  If it can't be found at the grocery store, you either Amazon or drive to Colorado.

Here in Wyoming we define "town" as a place having at least 1 of the following:
- A gas station
- A stop light
- Is located on some road junction such that you say "turn right when you reach Johnsonville"
 
 
It is a very different mindset then other places.  For an example from 4 o'clock today: I work remotely and the company I'm working for is hosting a big "let's get together" event, with offices all across North America and Europe.  An organizer from CT reached out to me, inviting me to go to the nearest office with promises of how fun this will be, food, swag, and socialization.  She was shocked I replied that it was over a 3 hour drive.  So she asked "would you manager approve of you flying down?".  The airport is also 3 hours away.  She meant well, and I thanked her for that, but it's just a different world than she's used to.
In contrast: last week a co-worker of mine needed to have it verified in-person that he has a real passport.  I was the nearest employee, so we met in the middle of the 3 hour drive.  And he was thrilled I saved him from having to drive 7 hours both there and back.  We met at a nice little town: they have a gas station (it's the only gas station 1-2 hours in any direction).  
For a third example: when I first moved to WY, literally that week I discovered that I was expecting and needed a new wardrobe.  I live in a big city for WY standards-- we have 3 grocery stores and 2 thrift stores.  No maternity clothes and I would have to drive to Colorado to get clothes.  I was complaining about this and how I missed "civilization".  My new co-worker asked where I was from: Denver.  She replied "Oh, I like Denver, it's a cute little town".  "Huh?  Cute little town- there's 3 million people there!  Where are you from?"  "Beijing".  Oh.... everything is relative.        And I have since learned that small towns are way better than cities (more on that next post).  

Why I love my small town (30k population):
- Because I can walk/bike to everywhere I need.  For all other shopping, there's Amazon.
- I see familiar faces are the park, getting to know each other and that sense of community.  And with 30k, it's enough to be familiar but not claustrophobic.
- I can leave whenever I want.  Hiking in the mountains is a 7 minute drive.  Easy star-gazing with my daughter.  There is freedom to spread my wings as far as I want.
- "Traffic" is when I accidentally drive by the High School when the students get out.  It's a really annoying 4 minute wait.
- Just down to earth.  No clutter.
 
 
Why it's not for everyone:
- (Big one) Work.  There are a very limited number of business in town.  I enjoy remote work, but it's not for everyone, and that's really limiting.
- There are limited opportunities for in-person specialized groups.  For example, for competitive sports it's slim pickings for teams here, and for games there's a lot of driving.
- In a small town you got to entertain yourself.  We don't have Boardwalk musicals-- but the high school puts on two performances a year.  We do things like have huge bubble parties in the parking lot.  The local parade and fair is the time the kids show off their pigs.  
- We don't have all of those "big city" amenities and shopping.  If it can't be found at the grocery store, you either Amazon or drive to Colorado.

Here in Wyoming we define "town" as a place having at least 1 of the following:
- A gas station
- A stop light
- Is located on some road junction such that you say "turn right when you reach Johnsonville"
 
 
It is a very different mindset then other places.  For an example from 4 o'clock today: I work remotely and the company I'm working for is hosting a big "let's get together" event, with offices all across North America and Europe.  An organizer from CT reached out to me, inviting me to go to the nearest office with promises of how fun this will be, food, swag, and socialization.  She was shocked I replied that it was over a 3 hour drive.  So she asked "would you manager approve of you flying down?".  The airport is also 3 hours away.  She meant well, and I thanked her for that, but it's just a different world than she's used to.
In contrast: last week a co-worker of mine needed to have it verified in-person that he has a real passport.  I was the nearest employee, so we met in the middle of the 3 hour drive.  And he was thrilled I saved him from having to drive 7 hours both there and back.  We met at a nice little town: they have a gas station (it's the only gas station 1-2 hours in any direction).  
For a third example: when I first moved to WY, literally that week I discovered that I was expecting and needed a new wardrobe.  I live in a big city for WY standards-- we have 3 grocery stores and 2 thrift stores.  No maternity clothes and I would have to drive to Colorado to get clothes.  I was complaining about this and how I missed "civilization".  My new co-worker asked where I was from: Denver.  She replied "Oh, I like Denver, it's a cute little town".  "Huh?  Cute little town- there's 3 million people there!  Where are you from?"  "Beijing".  Oh.... everything is relative.        And I have since learned that small towns are way better than cities (more on that next post).  

I also finally watched Encanto and LOVED it!!
I actually really liked the very small plot- that this is truly about a family learning to get along better, and address the undertones under the "everything is perfect" exterior.  There's no big dragon to fight, no "we need to save the world", or anything like that. 
(Maybe spoilers ahead?)
Rather the solution to the problem is truly: a hug.   Walking into your sister's room, truly talk to her, and give her a hug (and other family members too).   Mend the cracks in your family by seeing the true worth of very member.  

Time will tell if *this* becomes the Thing of Things that John foresaw.
In the meantime:  I hereby announce that my new pronouns are The Saint/The Saint/The Saint’s.  And please note that the proper capitalization is very important.  The individual reader can determine for themselves whether I’m just requesting ordinary kindness, demanding outright validation of my subjective self-image, or indulging in some kind of flex/power play.

Amateur.
 
My pronoun is: Your Majesty/Yes Your Majesty
 
Alternately I will also respond to: My Lord and Master

I’m really not a fan ideas that put of the “mark of the beast” being a literal thing or being sensational.  Rather, the marks that matter (good and bad) are on our hearts. 
 
“Woke” stuff can be silly, harmful, and a small part of it is actually good. As to the specific examples of posting pronouns (name tags, emails, etc)…. It’s kind of a “whatever, you do you” in my mind.  I’m more concerned about underlying trends (like negating the idea foundational  of gender).  Name tags are just a symptom of a sick world.  

So, last year, I noticed a couple co-workers started adding their pronouns to their email sigs.  I decided to go full-out radical activist Christian love, found my work's "diversity allies" employee resource group, and joined it.  Basically took my white-Christian-conservative-cisgendered-heterosexually-and-monogamously-married-homeschooling-parent self, and did a cannonball into the deep end of the woke pool, yelling "Here I am, who wants to cancel me?"   My only tactic was to radiate the 2nd great commandment as well as I could.  They were actually glad to have me - they were genuinely befuddled about why there were so many people on the right upset about so many things. 
That was last August.  I'm still alive, undoctrinated, largely unchanged.  I've learned their language, and they've learned some of mine.   I've survived sticking up for the rule of law and the Rittenhouse verdict.  I've survived criticizing some parts of Kendi's "How to be an Antiracist" book, including it's founding principle.  I've heard "I wish my mormon in-laws were as rational as [NT], we might actually be able to have a discussion that didn't turn into an argument."  I've found some genuine friends  - which surprises me as much as it surprises them. 
Anyway, I think I understand the intent behind all the pronoun stuff.  The thing to keep in mind, is the woke crowd will move heaven and earth just for an opportunity to make a transgender person feel welcome. Whether they know any or not.  Whether they could actually recognize one or not.  Whether the trans person wants to feel welcome, or would prefer to be left alone.  So they stick their pronouns on things, and do their best to urge/press for/force cultural change to normalize it for everyone.  Because they don't want trans folks to feel picked-on, or discriminated-against, or sad, or suicidal.  *shrug*  Well, neither do I.  2nd great commandment and all that.  I don't think pronouns are gonna do much, but hey, they're doing them, and I'm doing me.

The biggest consideration is:  Which is more likely?  That one child will be a good influence on the other?  Or that the other may be a bad influence on the one?

Honestly a lot of these answers are “it depends”.  A major factor being the age and how close the kids/family are.  I know that my kids will encounter other people who’s behavior I’m not ok with, so teaching them why this isn’t ok and how to deal with things is also important. 
 
As yo your situation: elementary age you can still veto friends. However, relatives are more complicated- you can more place “we will see you less” boundaries.  But it also possibly gives you room to talk to the parents since you actually know them.  
 
Things that are just a no dealbreaker: hitting, anything sexual, breaking things.
Things that maybe we can maybe work through and have “my house rules”: noise volume, taking turns, etc.  

I don't know if I can get behind any of these other than a greater mental health service in schools (I'll tell you right now, too many parents aren't handling it).
The rest are all that proverbial camel.

The three weeks are a buffet of options to pick from. Anyone whom had a special moment related to any topic is free to talk about it, and the teacher brings a list to talk about to fill any gaps in discussion.  But we don’t try to cover every point. 

There is not really an issue with it directly. 
But when you’re actively in that dark place, it’s very very VERY easy to feel like others talking at you are don’t “get it”. 

The three weeks are a buffet of options to pick from. Anyone whom had a special moment related to any topic is free to talk about it, and the teacher brings a list to talk about to fill any gaps in discussion.  But we don’t try to cover every point. 

They had the conference and it was interrupted.
Different opinions are going around on it.  Some feel it was appropriate for Beto to interrupt and bring up the political points.
Others feel it was inappropriate.
I think that as there were those who had lost children, they didn't need another individual to suddenly go up and interrupt their moment there.  They were already there.  It seemed more like political grandstanding and taking the picture off of those who just lost their loved ones for his own political stunt.  In that, I feel it was inappropriate.  There were other times he could have brought it up just as effectively.
That said, there are those who are praising his actions for doing what he did, so it appears his stunt worked as intended. 

We’re fine on our home, but thank you for the concern. 

We’re fine on our home, but thank you for the concern. 

If obeying the civil law is good enough for Jesus, why don't we obey the civil law?
We do obey the civil law.  But on top of that we also obey a higher law that takes us closer to exaltation than the civil law alone.
Jesus obeyed the civil law of both the Romans and the Jews.  But he also obeyed a higher law.  In fact, He asked others to do the same.
Matt 5:21-48

Back in the day, my sisters & I loved it so much we decided to memorize it and perform it for our parents.  We each had parts, costumes, sets, etc.  I was the Brothers (yes all 11) during this part.  We put puppets on my hands to show the "many" people I was playing and then all the Brothers "punched" Joesph & threw him in the pit (played by the baby of the family whom did get all of that attention).
 
Even today I still have the songs memorized and still sing them to my baby boy when he's having a rough night and I need songs I can sing for an hour straight. 

Back in the day, my sisters & I loved it so much we decided to memorize it and perform it for our parents.  We each had parts, costumes, sets, etc.  I was the Brothers (yes all 11) during this part.  We put puppets on my hands to show the "many" people I was playing and then all the Brothers "punched" Joesph & threw him in the pit (played by the baby of the family whom did get all of that attention).
 
Even today I still have the songs memorized and still sing them to my baby boy when he's having a rough night and I need songs I can sing for an hour straight. 

Hugs for @Vort and his wife  

Hugs for @Vort and his wife  

That’s so cool @Jane_Doe! 
 

Back in the day, my sisters & I loved it so much we decided to memorize it and perform it for our parents.  We each had parts, costumes, sets, etc.  I was the Brothers (yes all 11) during this part.  We put puppets on my hands to show the "many" people I was playing and then all the Brothers "punched" Joesph & threw him in the pit (played by the baby of the family whom did get all of that attention).
 
Even today I still have the songs memorized and still sing them to my baby boy when he's having a rough night and I need songs I can sing for an hour straight.